graduations! - wilderness travel course · graduations! see page 8 for contact info wtc officers...

www.angeles.sierraclub.org/wtc

Headline DeadlineFor publication in the Winter 2006 WTCNewsletter:

December 15 Last day for trips to be submitted to theWTC Outings Chair. Provisional trips and leaders should alreadyhave an LTC review. Restricted trips should prepare aMountaineering Application.

WTC Info Line 310-967-2029

Patch, patch, who has earned their patch? Below is the schedule for WTC graduations for 2005. Every student who hascompleted the graduation requirements and has mailed their completed student card to their area registrar will receive the

coveted WTC patch at the graduation ceremony for their group. Even if you have not completed your requirements for graduation, pleasecome to the graduation celebration to enjoy yourself and cheer for your classmates! All students are welcome.

Graduation Schedule:

Graduations!See page 8 for contact info

WTC Officers

The WTC Newsletter is publishedquarterly for students and staff of

the Wilderness TrainingCommittee and delivered via U.S.mail or distributed at class sites.It’s also available in color on the

WTC website:www.angeles.sierraclub.org/wtc as

a download in PDF format. All questions, copy and photo

submissions should be directed toKay Novotny, WTC Newsletter

Editor at (562) 860-4078, oremailed to:

[email protected]

WTCChair & Outings

Tom McDonnell

Long BeachArea ChairKC Reid

Area Vice ChairVacant

Area TripsMike Adams

Area RegistrarJean Konnoff

Orange CountyArea Chair

Cheryl GillArea Vice ChairEd Morente

Area TripsTom McDonnell

Area RegistrarKirt Smoot

San Gabriel ValleyArea Chair

Anne Marie RichardsonArea Vice Chair

Scott NelsonArea Trips

Beth EpsteinArea Registrar

Patricia Bolde

West Los AngelesArea Chair

Jane SimpsonArea Vice Chair

Gerard LewisArea Trips

Marc HertzArea Registrar

Rona Amichai

The outings section of your newsletter is getting a new look.Instead of having the outings separated into different sec-tions by type, all outings will be listed in chronological order,and will be tagged with icons to indicate the type of outingthey are. We are hoping this new organization will make iteasier for people find all of the outings available for a partic-ular day or weekend, regardless of outing type.

The icons we will be using to identify the outing types are:

You may not know this, but most WTC students firsthear about the course through a friend or relative. Ifyou’ve enjoyed WTC, tell a friend. Or a relative, anacquaintance, business associate, your receptionist,the UPS guy (I think his name’s Brown), the annoyingneighbor down the street with the yappy dog… no, wait; scratch that last one…See page 7 for 2006 WTC application information.

Tell a Friend

On The CoverDave Meltzer on Mt. Whitney, photo by Gary Novotny

West LA WTC Graduation, Oct. 15-16, Sat-Sun... at the Keller Peak ski hut. Car camp. Possible local trail and/or crosscountry day hikes. Sun Graduation Ceremony. Please carpool sinceparking is limited. Contact your WTC group leader for details.LB–SB WTC Graduation, Oct. 22-23, Sat-Sun NEW SITE!

... at Indian Cove Campground Joshua Tree National Park. Car camp.Possible local trail and/or cross country day hikes. Sat eveningGraduation Ceremony. Contact your WTC group leader for details.

Liability Waiver Notice To participate in a Sierra Club outing,you will need to sign a liability waiver. To see a copy of thiswaiver prior to attending the outing, please see www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms

Transportation Notice In the interests of facilitating thelogistics of some outings, it is customary that participantsmake voluntary carpooling arrangements. The Sierra Club doesnot have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumesno liability for them. Carpooling, ride sharing or anything sim-ilar is strictly a private arrangement among participants.Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

San Gabriel Valley WTC Graduation, Oct. 22-23, Sat-Sun... at Indian Cove. Car camp. Possible local trail and/or cross countryday hikes. Sat evening Graduation Ceremony. Please carpool, due tolimited parking permits. Contact your WTC group leader for details.Orange County WTC Graduation, Oct. 22-23, Sat-Sun... at Indian Cove Campground Joshua Tree National Park. Car camp.Possible local trail and/or cross country day hikes. Sat eveningGraduation Ceremony. Contact your WTC group leader for details.

A New Look

Trips which qualify as WTC experience trips are iden-tified by a backpack logo.

Outings of interest will be identified by binoculars.These do not qualify as WTC experience trips, but theyare very interesting.

Training opportunities are identified by a book. WTCstudents should find these trips within their abilities.

Last, but not least, the gnarly trips are identified by anice-axe and crampons. These are technically challeng-ing trips - typically not suited to WTC students. StrongWTC students with prior mountaineering experiencemy qualify.

ContentsPage 2 has Graduation information and the WTC Officer list-ings.

Page 3, enjoy our cover story, an inspirational tale of how WTChas enhanced one person’s life.

Page 4 is the start of the Outings descriptions.

Page 7 is our ETC page. In this issue: How to become a SierraClub Leader, by Gerard Lewis

Page 8 contains the leader directory (print version).

Pages 10 and 11, enjoy a trip write up “Doing Goode andEating Well”, a gourmet backpack trip to Mt. Goode, asdescribed by Ron Campbell.

Cover Story - Kay Novotny, WTC Newsletter Editor

"City-Boy", David Meltzer is a poster-boy for the positive effect the WTC program can have on people's lives.He has graciously allowed us to share his story of self-discovery. Read on -

When Dave met his wife Barb in 2000, he was a 44 year old self-described work-aholic. As Chief Financial Officer of CharterRealty Group , he was essentially married to his job, his only outside interest being his relationship with his two teenagesons from a previous marriage.

But Barb was an avid hiker, and encouraged Dave and his sons to join her on a hike in Will Rogers State Park. Dave broughtalong his "essentials" consisting of 2 bottles of water and 3 granola bars for four people in an old book back pack. Fourhours later, with water and food exhausted, and their party thoroughly lost, Barb and Dave decided Dave needed sometraining. Barb had taken the WTC course before, but had not completed her experience outings, so they signed up together.

Assigned to the Long Beach group 1, Dave quickly earned his "city-boy" nickname by admitting he could get lost in WillRogers State Park, his "camping" experience consisted and staying at the Four Seasons Hotel and his conditioning programconsisted of walking to his car in the morning. However, as the class progressed, and Dave's interest grew, no one asked morequestions, or worked harder on pushing their limits. With each success, Dave's confidence improved - completing the Mt.Wilson conditioning hike; finding the pine tree at Joshua Tree NP; reaching the top of "4377" at Joshua Tree; usingsnowshoes for the first time in Ice House Canyon; trekking to Tyee Lakes in the snow; and surviving snow campfor the first time.

Dave says that LB leader Mike Adams, who was very supportive and patient with him along with theother leaders, made the WTC experience awesome. Bob Beach was also a great inspiration for him.Bob co-leads a WTC group while in his 80's, after taking up hiking in his 40's. At 44, Dave beganto look at his life differently, putting his work into a different perspective. He began to real-ize that you can work to live, instead of live to work.

After finishing his WTC experience trips, Dave was motivated to stay on with thegroup as an assistant leader - using the opportunity to pass on the knowledgeand enthusiasm he gained to the next classes of students. With the occasion-al lapse (like torching the picnic table at snow camp), Dave is an inspira-tion himself, for the students who aren't sure they can make it. He hasbeen where they are, and succeeded. Dave is also the first person tovolunteer when the group needs someone to help out with thelogistics for trips, etc.

Dave is now an "O" rated Sierra Club leader, has passedhis navigation test, and will lead his final "I" levelprovisional trip in November. This summer, Davealso tested the rare air above the Sierra - going ver-tical on a trip to the top of Mt. Whitney. For manypeople, the trip to the top of Mt. Whitney begins atWhitney portal. For Dave, he had to travel a longideological journey, just to make it to the portal -and he credits the WTC program and Barb withgiving him the inspiration to make that journey.

WTC Newsletter / Fall 2005

WTC and Inspiration

Dave Meltzer and his wife, Barb, on the Mt.Whitney trail. Pictures by Gary Novotny.


September 17 / Sat LTCDeadline for Leadership Training SeminarLast day for receipt of application and payment by LTC Registrar for enrollment in Oct1 seminar. Next seminar: Spring 2006. See application on LTC web site: http://ange-les.sierraclub.org/ltc. No registration after this date or at the door. Registrar: SteveBotan.

September 17-18 / Sat-Sun WTC I / North Maggie Mt (10,234’)Sat hike in from Hidden Falls (Mt. Home State Forest) through beautiful Sequoia groveto camp along middle fork of Tule River (2 mi. - 900' gain). Climb peak Sat afternoonxc (2.5 mi. 3025' gain) along forested/brushy route to top. Return to trail head. Sendemail/sase with recent conditioning, experience, ride-share info (WTC studentsinclude area/group, and leader) to Ldr: John Cyran. Asst: Ron Campbell.

September 17-18 / Sat-Sun Wilderness Adventures, WTCI / Mt Morgan (13,748')Backpack: Starting at Rock Creek Lake trailhead, backpack 4 mi, 1300' gain to campat Francis Lake (10,900'). Then dayhike 8 mi, 2800' gain to summit via cl 2 route.Enjoy Happy Hour and group camaraderie Sat evening. Backpack out on Sun. Send 2sase or email, w/complete contact info and resume of recent backpacking and climb-ing experience to Ldr: Jason Lynch. Co-Ldr: David Coplen.

Sept 17-19 / Sat-Mon Sierra Peaks, WTCM / Mt Gayley (13,510’), Temple Crag (12,976’)Sat 5 mi, 2400’ gain backpack from Glacier Lodge to base camp west of Willow Lake;Sun climb Gayley 2 mi, 3100’ gain via “Yellow Brick Rd”; Mon climb Temple Crag 1.5mi 2700’ gain via SE face and pack out. Send e-mail & SASE, H&W phones, recentconditioning & experience, rideshare info and $5 check for permit fee made out to‘SPS’ to leader. Ldr: Virgil Popescu, Asst: Patty Rambert.

Sep 18 / Sun NEW! WTCI: Nav 'Till It Hertz: Malibu Creek State Park 5 mi, 300' gain. Use it or Lose it! Spend most of day withNavigation Instructors sharpening your skills with map & compass. Not a checkoff,but you'll be prepared. Send e-mail for information & required materials to Ldr: Marc"Roadkill" Hertz. Assts: Adrienne Benedict, Gary Embry, Jane Simpson, Gerard Lewis,Susan Richmond, and the rest of the usual suspects.

September 23-25 / Fri-Sun WTCI / Mt. Silliman (11,188')Fri backpack approx 4 mi, 2000' gain on a use trail from Lodgepole, Sequoia NP toSilliman Lake area. Sat climb peak for incredible views of the Great Western Divide, 4mi rt, 2,500' gain and return to camp for group happy hour. Sun pack out. Comfort onclass 2 granite slab required. No tigers please. There will be a permit fee of approx $3each collected at the hike. Send esase with contact & rideshare info, recent backpack-ing & conditioning experience to Ldr: Cheryl Gill. Co-Ldrs: Janet Yee, Jane Simpson.

September 23–25 / Fri–Sun Sierra Peaks, WTCM / Tower Pk (11,755’)Join us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sierra Peaks Section. Northern SierraClass 3 Mountaineers Peak. Strenuous trip (29 miles RT, 4500’gain) restricted to SierraClub members. Participants must be comfortable on Class 3 rock. Friday backpackfrom Leavitt Meadows Trailhead to camp at Tower Lake (13 miles, 2400’ gain).Saturday climb peak (2100’gain) and pack out part way for short hike out on Sunday.Send e-mail with experience and recent conditioning to Ldr: John Cheslick. Co-Ldr:Patty Rambert

Sep 24 / Sat WTCI / Geocache Romp in the Santa Monica MountainsMap and compass getting you down? Need gadgets? Get out your GPS units and joinwith us as we search for geocaches in the Santa Monica Mountains. We plan to coverabout 8 - 10 miles on this moderate trek through one of our Southern California treas-ures that the Sierra Club was instrumental in saving. For information and details con-tact Ldr: Virgil Shields. Asst: Ann Pedreschi

Sep 24 -25 / Sat-Sun WTC, Palos Verdes - South BayI / Excelsior Mtn (12,446'), Dunderberg Pk (12,374')Don't miss out on this final experience trip before graduation in the beautiful fall col-ors of the Sierra north of Yosemite. Sat backpack 2.5 mi, 1200' gain from VirginiaLakes to camp at tarn below pass. Climb Excelsior's north ridge, 4 mi xc, 2100'. Sunleader's choice on Dunderberg - bumpy SW ridge, 5 mi, 2000' gain or pack down anddayhike from cars. Send email, experience and conditioning, H&W phones, rideshareinfo to Ldr: Jeff Dhungana. Asst: Barry Holchin.

September 24–26 / Sat–Mon Sierra Peaks, WTCI / Silver Peak (11,878’)Join us for a 3-day backpack on the western side of the Sierra north of Lake ThomasEdison. Saturday backpack 5 mi to camp at Devil’s Bathtub Lake with time for fishingand or relaxing. Sun climb peak 10 mi. 4000 gain rt. Mon. retrace our steps back tothe cars. Good condition required. Send email or sase with conditioning, experience,phones to Ldr: Greg Roach. Co-Ldr: Mirna Roach.

September 25 / Sun LTC, WTCI/M/E / Grinnell Ridge NavigationNavigation Noodle in San Bernardino National Forest for either checkout or practice tosatisfy Basic (I/M) or Advanced (E) level navigation requirements. To receive home-work assignment, send sase, navigation experience/training, any WTC, rideshare info,and H&W phones to Ldr: Harry Freimanis Asst: Bob Bradshaw.

September

OutingsPlease see Outings Leader Directory on pag 8 for SASE and contact information. – Indicates new trip not listed in a previous WTC NewsletterNEW!

WTC experience trips are identified by a backpack

Outings of interest are identified by binoculars

Training opportunities are identified by a book

Last, but not least, the gnarly (technically chaleng-ing) trips are identified by an ice-axe and crampons.

Nov 5 / Sat WTCO / Allen Pk (5795)Easy paced 7 mi rt, 1300' gain on dirt road and bit of steep use trail. We will hikethrough the Wildlands Conservancy's Bearpaw preserve to this HPS peak in the SanBernardino Mountains. Along the way we will stop at a waterfall and learn about theConservancy's conservation efforts. Send email (preferred) or sase, with contact infoand recent conditioning to Ldr: Robert Myers. Asst: Bill Jackson.

Nov 5 / Sat LTC, Harwood, WTCC / Wilderness First Aid Introduction1-day course introducing basic topics of wilderness first aid. Not offered to meetI/M/E wilderness first aid training requirement. A current Angeles Chapter leader rat-ing or a previous CPR course. Fee ($50) includes lunch and snacks. For applicationsend e-mail to Ldr: Steve Schuster. See http://home.mindspring.com/~sks.wfac/

November 6 / Sun LTC, Harwood, WTCC / Wilderness First Aid Course Refresher1-day course suitable as a refresher. Not offered to meet I/M/E wilderness first aidtraining requirement. A previous wilderness first aid training course of at least 24hours within eight years is a prerequisite. Fee ($50) includes lunch and snacks. Forapplication send e-mail to Ldr: Steve Schuster. Seehttp://home.mindspring.com/~sks.wfac/

Nov 12-13 / Sat-Sun LTC, Sierra Peaks, Desert Peaks, WTCM/E / Indian Cove Rock CheckoffFor M & E candidates wanting to check off leadership ratings. At Joshua Tree NationalPark. Practice and instruction available for those wanting to brush up on new tech-niques. Restricted to SC members with some prior basic training on rock. Send 2sases, SC#, climbing resume, email, H&W phones to Ldr: Dan Richter. Co-Ldr: PatMcKusky.

Nov 12-13 / Sat-Sun LTC, WTCI / Indian Cove NavigationNavigation noodles at Joshua Tree NP to satisfy the Basic (I/M) level navigationrequirements. Sat for practice, skills refresh, altimeter, campfire. Sun for checkout. Toreceive homework assignment, send navigation experience/training, any WTC,rideshare info, H&W phones, sase to Ldr: Harry Freimanis. Asst: Bob Bradshaw


Oct 1 / Sat LTCLeadership Training SeminarBecome a qualified Sierra Club leader! Griffith Park, Los Angeles County. See applica-tion on LTC web site: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/ltc Deadline for application sub-mittal is Sep 24 prior to seminar date. No registration at the door. Registrar: SteveBotan.

Oct 1 / Sat LTC, WTCI / Mt Lowe (5603') Beginning Navigation Clinic5 mi, 500' gain. Spend the day one on one with an instructor, learning/practicingmap and compass. Beginners to rusty old timers welcome. Not a checkoff. Manyexpert leaders will attend; many "I" rated leaders started here in the past. Recent no-shows require a $25 deposit, refunded at trailhead. Send large sase early with checkmade out to Sierra Club, H&W phones to Ldr: Diane Dunbar. Co-Ldr: RichardBoardman

October 1-2 / Sat-Sun Sierra Peaks, WTC I / North Maggie Mtn (10,234’)Join us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sierra Peaks Section. Great intro to SPSbackpack for recent WTC graduates interested in bagging their first peak in theWestern Sierra. Plan on a leisurely start Saturday morning from Hidden Falls camp-ground. Backpack in (2-3 miles) followed by happy hour Saturday night. Sundaymorning peak climb (approx. 3 miles, 3000 ft. gain) cross-country. Return to the carsSunday late afternoon. Send email with experience (including WTC group informa-tion) and contact information to Ldr: Jennie Thomas. Asst: Greg Roach.

Oct 1-2 / Sat-Sun Wilderness Adventures, WTCI / Last Chance Backpack to Tahquitz PeakThis is your last chance to graduate WTC! Sat backpack, 4 mi 1600' gain, from HumberPark in Idyllwild to Tahquitz Valley and set up camp. Then dayhike to the summit ofTahquitz Peak Sat afternoon and return to camp and enjoy a garbage-bag Salad. Sunhike to Skunk Cabbage Meadows and Red Tahquitz Peak, return to camp and pack out.Must carry all the water you need for the weekend. (Sorry!) Send 2 sase (or email),resume of conditioning & experience, H&W phones, rideshare info to Ldr: GeorgetteRieck. Co-Ldr: Jason Lynch.

October 8-9 / Sat-Sun WTCI / San Jacinto (10,804'), Cornell (9,721')Sat backpack 6 mi, 3300' gain, from Humber Park to Round Valley; climb Cornell tolunch ledge. Sun climb San Jacinto 1700' gain: out. Send 2 sase, resume with recentexperience and conditioning, home and work phones and email if preferred to Ldr:Mike Bolde. Asst: Pat Bolde.

Oct 8-9 / Sat-Sun WTCI / Quail Mtn (5,813')Backpack in beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. Sat hike 5 mi with easy gain toJuniper Flats and set up camp. Continue xc 2 mi hike 1000' gain to the highest peakin the park with stunning view all around and even a chance to see Big Horn Sheep.Dry camp-you must carry all of the water you will need. Sun hike out. Send ESASE,H&W phones, ride share info and recent conditioning/hiking experience to Ldr: PatrickVaughn. Asst: Bill Jackson.

Oct 16 / Sun SPSSPS 50th Anniversary BanquetJoin the SPS group celebrating their 50th anniversary. Watch a Dave Sholle video, andDoug Mantle as master of ceremonies. Everyone is welcome. Les Freres Taix restau-rant, Los Angeles. Contact Gary Schenk for tickets (see leader list) $28.00, or PattyRambert, Chair, Sierra Peaks Section (SPS).

Oct 22 / Sat LTC, WTCI / Sheep Pass NavigationNavigation noodles at Joshua Tree NP for either checkout or practice to satisfy theBasic (I/M) level navigation requirements. To receive homework assignment, sendnavigation experience/training, any WTC, rideshare info, H&W phones, sase to Ldr:Harry Freimanis. Asst: Bob Bradshaw.

October 29 / Sat Outings Management CommitteeChapter Outings AssemblyAll Outings Chairs, Outings Leaders, and outings participants are invited to this con-ference. Discussions of policies, procedures, and practices. Possible training opportu-nities. Save the date. Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena. For more informationsee the LTC web site: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/ltc/schedule.html

October

November


Nov 13 / Sun 20's and 30's Singles, WTCI / Carey's CastleJoshua Tree National Park mystery whose location is a long held secret. Carey's Castleconstructed within the outcropping of granite boulders is an old miner's cabin. 8 mixc, 1275' gain, with class 2 boulder scrambling. Bring water, lug soles and layeredclothing. Send sase or email. H&W phones, recent experience and conditioning to Ldr:David Meltzer. Co-Ldr: Kristen Mahaffey

Nov 19 / Sat WTCO / Inspiration Point (4520')Learn about the Wilderness Travel Course on hike to Inspiration Point. Moderate paced8 mile rt, 2,600' gain hike up Castle Canyon passing historic Echo Mountain and on toInspiration Point. Return via the Sam Merrill trail. Meet some of our leaders and staffon introductory WTC conditioning hike. Meet 8:30 top of Lake Avenue in Altadena.Bring minimum 2qts water, lunch and lug soles. Rain cancels. Co Leaders: Ted Slapand Jane Simpson.

Free CPR and First Aid

Thanks to a grant from the Friends of the Angeles Chapter Foundation (FACF), theLeadership Training Committee is again offering free CPR and First Aid Training in2005. The one-day class satisfies the CPR requirement for an “O” level leadership rat-ing, as well as the Sierra Club’s National Leader Standards for 1st aid currency. It alsosatisfies National Parks leader requirement for CPR.

Please note: This is not a Wilderness 1st Aid course and it does not count toward theSierra Club WFA requirement for I, M or E ratings, nor for the Sierra Club WFA refresh-er. However, this course does fulfill the CPR component of the Sierra Club “O” leader-ship rating, National Leader Standards for 1st aid currency and National Parks require-ments.

The 2005 class schedule will be conducted on Saturdays on the following dates:September 17 – Los AngelesSeptember 17 – Orange CountyNovember 5 – Los AngelesNovember 12 – Orange County

The Los Angeles classes will be held at the Los Angeles American Red Cross offices at2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. The Orange County classes will be held at a res-idence in Newport Beach, on the Balboa peninsula.

For all the details, including information on how to sign up for free CPR and First AidTraining go to www.angeles.sierraclub.org/ltc and click on the “Free CPR & FirstAid Classes” link.

November continued 2005 CPR and First Aid

2006Jan 14-16 / Sat-Mon Nordic Ski Touring, WTC

I / Mountain Home State Forest Ski TourSki tour and snow camp among the sequoias. Sat ski with overnight packs upunplowed road to Balch County Park, 4 mi., 1300' gain, and set up camp. Sun loopexcursion, 10 mi., 400' gain/loss past the Hercules tree, return for group happy hour.Mon ski back to cars. Intermediate cross-country skills and snow camping experi-ence required. Lack of snow cancels. Send email and experience info to Ldr: MariaRoa. Co-Ldr: Anne Bittner

Feb 11 / Sat Angeles ChapterAnnual Volunteer Training WorkshopNew members of management committees are among the primary beneficiaries ofthis program, but all members benefit from the variety of training and informationalsessions included in the workshop. Help strengthen our chapter and plan to attendthis event. If you have any questions, would like to participate in the the Workshop,or help organize it, contact Garen Yegparian at 818/563-3918 or by email at [email protected].

Environmental awareness credit opportunities for advanced LTCleader candidates (“I”,”M”,”E”) include animal tracking, native andedible plants, nature awareness, field ecology courses and trips:

• Jim Lowery’s Earth Skills, 1113 Cougar Ct., Frazier Park, CA 93225; (661) 245-0318;( www.Earthskills.org ) for a schedule of classes. Specialties: Animal tracking, nativeplants, wilderness skills.

• Chris Nyerges’ School of Self-Reliance, P.O. Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041; (323)255-9502; www.self-reliance.net.. Specialties: Native and edible plants.

• Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711;(909) 625-8767; (www.rsabg.org). Specialties: Seminars & field trips on Californianative plants.

• Joshua Tree National Park Association, 74485 National Park Dr., 29 Palms, CA 92277;(760) 367-5525; www.joshuatree.org. Specialties: Field classes on desert ecology,geololgy.

• Local community college or University extension courses in an earth science or bio-logical discipline

Baboon Lake, June,2004Picture by Gary Novotny

Becoming a Leader:Now that you have completed, or are completing, your requirements for WTCGraduation you may ask yourself, “What am I going to do next year?”

You may feel eager to share your enjoyment of the outdoors with others as a SierraClub Outings Leader. The Leadership Training Committee can give you the prepara-tion you need for certification by the Angeles Chapter Safety Committee as a qual-ified leader of safe, enjoyable outings.

What Are The Qualities Needed For Leadership?Good judgment, inspiration, and awareness are some of the important qualities ina leader.

Why Be A Sierra Club Leader?Well, first of all, as a leader you can go where you want, with whom you want, andat the pace you want. As a leader, you also gain leadership skills and confidencethat applies to your professional life. In addition, many leaders derive satisfactionfrom sharing the wilderness experience with others.

Explore the Leadership Training ProgramThe Leadership Training Program (LTP) is conducted by the Leadership TrainingCommittee (LTC) and provides trainees with the attitude, knowledge and skillsessential to sound leadership of Angeles Chapter outings. The LTP prepares gradu-ates for certification at one of four categories, or levels, which are designated "0","I", "M" and "E". "O" level trips are basic level outings which can include overnightstays, but do not require navigation skills. "I" level outings include cross-countrytravel where navigation skills are required. They may also include skiing or snowtravel. "M" level trips include up to class 3 level rock climbing, and snow trips willrequire ice-axe training and the ability to self-arrest. "E" level trips include moreexposure than "M" trips, and require the use of ropes for safety.

Requirements for becoming a leader at the basic "O" level are: 1. Current Sierra Club membership

2. Participation on five Sierra Club trips/hikes

3. Passing an open book pre-seminar exam from the Leader Reference Book (LRB)

4. Attendance at an all day LTP seminar

5. Completion of first aid and CPR training

6. Satisfactory completion of a provisional outing

Enrollment Information:You may obtain an application either by sending a large (#10) self-addressed,stamped envelope (SASE) to: Steve Botan, LTC Registrar, 18816 Thornwood Circle,Huntington Beach, CA 92646, or may print out a hard copy of the application tomail to the Registrar. The application can be found on the LTC web page athttp://angeles.sierraclub.org/ltc.

The fee for the LTP is $25 including the Leadership Reference Book (LRB) and $10without the LRB. The fee also includes the all day seminar and a leader recognitionpatch with a certificate. The registrar must receive the completed application atleast two weeks prior to the seminar. The seminar is held twice a year on a Saturdayin the spring and fall. Hurry! The fall LTP Seminar for 2005 is scheduled forOctober 1st.

Gerard Lewis, [email protected].


ETC.All you ever wanted to know about becoming aSierra Club leader - By Gerard Lewis

Coming Next Issue...The ETC section will hold the first WTC “garage sale” in quite a while. If you have gen-tly used items you would like to part with, contact Gerard Lewis [email protected].

We also always appreciate trip write-ups and photographs from WTC outings, bothduring class and experience trips. Please send trip write-ups or submissions to:

Kay Novotny, Newsletter Editor, [email protected].

Outings Leader Directory


Please see the Outings Leader Directory on page 8 of the WTC Newsletter print version for SASE and contact

information

The Long Beach Group 1 WTC class of 2004 heads for the top of 4377.

Greg Yanagihara is appropriately thoughtful at Consultation LakePhoto by Gary Novotny


“To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild

places of the earth; to practice and

promote the responsible use of

the earth’s ecosystemand resources;

to educate and enlist humanity toprotect and restore

the quality of thenatural and human

environment…”


Mount Goode (13,085 ft.)Mount Agassiz (13,893 ft.)Aug. 27-28, 2005

The pine duff (also known as "dirt") nicely set off the linen tablecloth and brass candlesticks. The vintage wine, custom packaged in plastic bottles, complimented the smokedsalmon blinis, marinated Portobello mushrooms and Godiva Belgian Chocolate ice cream.

That's the way it was at the Decadent Wilderness Weekend III.

Oh, yes, and we climbed a couple of 13ers too.

Seven of us met at the South Lake parking lot shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday. The weather was sunny but not hot - ideal hiking weather. We arrived at Bishop Lakes by 11 a.m.,a full hour ahead of my pessimistic forecast.

I had originally planned to climb Mount Goode on Sunday, descend the southwest side, contour to Bishop Pass and then climb Mount Agassiz. After Tom McDonnell and PatrickMcKusky both assured me that I was nuts, I privately crossed Agassiz off my plan.

But when we arrived at Bishop Lakes Goode was right there, calling to me. Right then, co-leader Georgette Rieck and I decided to climb Goode immediately, before dinner, andset aside Sunday for Agassiz.

From Bishop Lakes, Goode looks about a football field away. That turns out to be the wrong cliché: It's more like a Rhode Island away. First, Bishop Lakes is the wrong startingpoint. You have to aim somewhat north of the peak to reach a sandy area above the first talus slope; the best way to get there is from Saddlerock Lake, just north and 100 ver-tical feet below the Bishop Lakes basin.

The climber's second decision is what to do after reaching the sandy area. You can take a diagonal toward the peak through a field of boulders ranging in size from microwavesto SUVs. That was my decision.

Or you can exercise the miraculous virtue of hindsight: Stick to the sandy area until you are directly below the summit; then head straight up through a well-worn talus field.All seven participants summitted Goode after a four-hour climb; we easily could have shaved 30 or even 60 minutes from that time by staying low longer.

MMmm Goode... Doing Goode, and Eating WellA trip write up by Ron Campbell

Mt. Goode from Bishop LakesPhoto submitted by Ron Campbell

WTC Newsletter / Summer 2005

Back in camp, it was time for the gourmet potluck. We spread an autumn-themed linen tablecloth on the ground, added the candlesticks and attempted to light the candles inthe erratic wind.

Next we broke out the appetizers: smoked salmon on blinis (small buckwheat pancakes) with cream cheese, capers and, a heavenly touch, fresh dill; Kalamata olives; fresh shrimpwith cocktail sauce; Portobello mushrooms and miniature plum tomatoes, marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and garlic; and stuffed grape leaves.

Diners had a choice of three red wines, each tastefully packaged in Nalgene or Platypus bottles: Frei Brothers Petit Syrah (2003), Fat Bastard Merlot (2003) and Black MountainFat Cat Cabernet (2002). Georgette helpfully left the cork in her Fat Bastard. (And yes, that really is its name, and yes, it's French.)

We had two entrée choices. Most diners chose, well, both. First off the mountaineering stove was capellini (angel hair pasta) in puttanesca sauce with goat cheese and freshlygrated Parmesan. Next up: shrimp and rice with Mandarin oranges and almonds in a sesame ginger sauce.

For dessert, Georgette whipped out a surprise package, a 7-lb. cooler loaded with, oh, 6-1/2 lbs. of dry ice and two pints of ice cream - Godiva Belgian Dark Chocolate and SantaBarbara Vanilla Bean. Diners drizzled their ice cream with Kahlua. The ice cream would have been outstanding by itself; with the Kahlua it was as blissful as the night sky. Wetoasted ourselves to bed at 9:30 p.m. after a suitably slow-paced dining experience. Any restaurant critic who could survive the hike would have given it four stars.

At 5:30 a.m. a few of us were awakened by a rockslide on Picture Puzzle Peak. At 6 a.m., I tried to arouse those who weren't disturbed by hundreds of tons of moving granite.Just three of us were awake, fed and ready to hike when we set out for Agassiz at 7:20 a.m.

We summitted Agassiz shortly after 11 a.m. The views were among the most spectacular I have ever seen in the Sierra. Just to the south, Sill, North Palisade and Thunderboltseemed close enough to touch - but you already know how poor a judge of distances I am. Tom and Humphreys dominated the horizon to the north. To the southwest we enjoyeda fine view of the Black Divide. While taking in the scenery from the summit, we supped on roasted garlic and three cheese potato chips with leftover Kalamata olives.

The descent was extremely tedious. I'm sure there is a good route off Agassiz. I am equally certain that it was not the route we took.

A few hours later we returned to the parking lot, toasting a fine weekend with Sam Adams Summer Ale.

Participants were Lisa Buckley, Daryn Dodge, Marlen Mertz and recent WTC graduates Roger Behrens and Brandon Mosst.

My thanks to Georgette for her usual great co-lead, to Lisa for her help on Agassiz and to Daryn for carrying that heavy cooler of ice cream up and down Mount Goode withouteven once asking what was inside.

MMmm Goode, continued... Doing Goode, and Eating Well

WTC Newsletter / Fall 2005 Page 11

Setting the table for a gourmet feastPhoto submitted by Ron Campbell

Gary Novotny and Sharon Moore ponder the meaning of life at Samuelson’s Rocks in Joshua Tree NP

PRESORTEDFIRST CLASS

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

ANAHEIM, CAPERMIT NO. 514P.O. Box 2262, El Segundo, CA 90245

Photo by Kay Novotny

graduations! - wilderness travel course · graduations! see page 8 for contact info wtc officers...

Documents